Grappling systems and methods for lumen apposition or wound defects

A tissue manipulating device comprising:

• a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a diverting feature at said distal end of said shaft;
• at least one exit opening formed in said shaft adjacent to said diverting feature;
• at least one grasper arm held along said shaft in a closed configuration;
• and
• a grasper surface associated with said at least one grasper arm and configured to engage body tissue;
• wherein:
• said at least one grasper arm is resiliently biased such that upon deployment from said shaft said at least one grasper arm encounters said diverting feature and is deflected transversely to said longitudinal axis to exit through said at least one exit opening into an open configuration;
• and
• in said open configuration, said grasper surface is positioned to engage body tissue.

A system for manipulating tissue comprising:

• an elongate delivery member having a working channel extending therethrough;
• and
• a tissue manipulating device advanceable through said working channel, said tissue manipulating device comprising:
• a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis;
• and
• a tissue grasper assembly deployable from said shaft, said tissue grasper assembly comprising at least one grasper arm movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration;
• wherein said at least one grasper arm comprises a grasper surface configured to engage tissue in said open configuration.